EPSRC Reference: |
EP/P00122X/1 |
Title: |
3D Volume Microscopy and TEM Sample Preparation of Complex Hybrid Nanostructures |
Principal Investigator: |
Brydson, Professor RMD |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Chemical and Process Engineering |
Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
Scheme: |
Standard Research |
Starts: |
01 August 2016 |
Ends: |
31 January 2021 |
Value (£): |
823,184
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
Materials Characterisation |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
04 May 2016
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EPSRC Strategic Equipment Panel May 16 (2)
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Use of a focused ion beam (FIB) in a dual beam, analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) for serial ion beam sectioning of solids allows the investigation of the three dimensional (3D) chemical micro- and nanostructure over volumes of hundreds of cubic microns, so called 3D volume microscopy, at resolutions greater than that achievable using X-ray microtomography. In addition, it is possible to extract site-specific thin transmission electron microscopy (TEM) cross-sections for the higher resolution analysis of surfaces or interfaces within the microstructure. The use of a liquid nitrogen-cooled sample cryo-stage reduces ion beam damage and permits the application to beam-sensitive samples such as hybrid inorganic-organic materials, organics and also frozen samples which is otherwise extremely challenging. Furthermore, the inclusion of a cooled nanomanipulator and a scanning TEM (STEM) detector enables in-situ imaging of frozen TEM lamella that, in principle, could be cryo-transferred to an external cryo-TEM for additional analysis. As well as reducing damage in conventional inorganic materials, such a capability opens up new horizons for the characterisation of complex soft solids (and potentially liquid dispersions) used in a wide range of medical, chemical, structural and electronic applications.
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Key Findings |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
Summary |
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Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |